AURORA --  The newest assistant commissioner for the Colorado High School Activities Association is John Sullivan, the athletic and activities director at Vista Peak High Preparatory School in Aurora.

Sullivan has spent 22 years in education as a teacher, a coach of both boys and girls sports and an administrator. He was the former president of the Eastern Metro Athletic Conference and is part of CHSAA's football committee.

“I have been lucky enough to work with some amazing people as a coach and athletic director, and I look forward to expanding that work throughout Colorado,” Sullivan said in a statement. “I am beyond excited for the opportunity to with the current CHSAA team and assuming my role with them.”

Sullivan takes over for Adam Bright, who oversaw the state's football, wrestling and baseball programs.

Sullivan has been the athletics and activities director at Vista Peak since 2017. Before that, he was a teacher of physical science, geology, physics and principals of engineering. He started the advanced-placement physics program at Vista Peak. he did the same thing at Rangeview High School while he taught there from 1999 to 2013.

Between those two schools, Sullivan coached football, boys basketball, girls basketball, track and field and baseball. He was the head football coach for the Bison from 2015 to 2021.

"We are incredibly excited to welcome John to our CHSAA staff family,” according to a press statement from Mike Krueger, who will take over as the 10th commissioner of the 100-year-old CHSAA organization starting July 1. “John is a veteran educator, coach and athletics and activities administrator who brings passion, experience and a humble heart to this important role. John is a servant leader through and through. His propensity for connecting and building relationships with colleagues and stakeholders is an incredible strength and will serve our membership well."